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Archive for May, 2017

RT-130: Wildland Fire Safety Refresher Series Recharged with Annual Updates for 2017

TargetSolutions has released updates for its 2017 RT-130: Annual Wildland Fire Safety Refresher series. The new content is being made available in microlearning format, which provides all of the RT-130 updates for 2017 in quick 10- to 20-minute lessons, or in one combined hour-long refresher course.

As summer draws closer and temperatures continue to rise, the ongoing threat of wildland fires is at its most imminent. To aid in the safety and preparation for battling wildland infernos, TargetSolutions has released annual updates to its RT-130: Annual Wildland Fire Safety Refresher training series.

Recharged and retooled with current statistics and data, this four-module series is loaded with more than eight hours of premium training content, including a large selection of rich video presentations. As a way to streamline course information, TargetSolutions is excited to introduce microlearning modules for the RT-130 training.

Microlearning is the process of transforming broad topics of study into condensed objectives that can be reviewed as needed. What this means for RT-130 is that the updates made to each of the four modules will also be available to students as quick 10-20 minute stand-alone courses or one combined hour-long refresher lesson.

Breakdown of the four-part 2017 wildland fire refresher is as follows:

  • Module No. 1: An overview of recent issues and incidents in wildland firefighting as well as a review of the fundamentals of safety in wildland firefighting operations.
  • Module No. 2: An analysis of wildland fire behavior and strategies for predicting changes in behavior that could lead to hazardous conditions.
  • Module No. 3: Explores situational awareness and injury prevention in wildland fire operations.
  • Module No. 4: Discusses safety strategies particular to wildland fire operations.

Fire service instructor and subject matter expert Paul Costello, FF/EMT-P, worked carefully with TargetSolutions to bring RT-130 up-to-date.

“Throughout the courses, there is a lot going on with something for everyone,” said Costello. “No two fire seasons are the same. We are already 36 percent ahead of 2016 when it comes to acres burned. It’s safe to say, looking at the NIFC Predictive Services report, that this year will be a busy one.”

“My hope is that these offerings lend themselves to further a culture of safety.”

Paul Costello, FF/EMT-P, Fire Service Instructor and Subject Matter Expert

Topics covered in the 2017 wildland fire refresher include:

  • Dead fuel moisture considerations
  • Next generation fire shelters
  • Fire environment triangle
  • Extreme fire behavior considerations
  • Heat acclimation
  • Chemicals of fire smoke

Check out TargetSolutions’ online training catalog for a complete list of courses for firefighters. For more information on the 2017 wildland fire refresher updates, please contact TargetSolutions at (800) 840-8048.

Comply with California HSA Standards and Improve Student Safety Using Integrated Pest Management Strategies

Children account for 50 percent of pesticide poisoning cases. This is not only due to the misuse of pesticides, but because children’s bodies are more vulnerable to exposure than adults. Therefore, it is crucial that schools in California, especially personnel who apply pesticides, are aware of best-integrated pest management strategies.

California Department of Pesticide Regulation

TargetSolutions’ new activity, DRP 101 – Basic Pest Management in the School and Child Care Settings, which can be found in the Import Example Activities section of the Activities Builder, satisfies the Healthy Schools Act (HSA) training requirement. Previously, TargetSolutions users could satisfy this standard with the DRP 103 course. However, as it’s a more in-depth continuing education activity for professionals, DRP 101 was introduced for a more condensed, school-specific alternative. While insecticides may not be used by teachers in the classroom, the most common school-yard pesticides include:

  • Disinfectants
  • Sanitizers
  • Weed-killers

As many teachers and other school professionals who work with children use these kinds of products, this activity is crucial for student safety.

Integrated Pest Management Strategies

Th integrated pest management strategies activity takes roughly one hour and is divided into three chapters. Users are guided with narration and interactive features about preventative, long-term solutions for pest control. Students earn their certification with a 10-question exam and receive credit by uploading the certificate to their activity in TargetSolutions.

After completing the activity, teachers and other school personnel will understand how to assess different types of pest problems and take appropriate action. These safer and more sustainable approaches include cleaning with microfiber cloths, installing door sweeps to keep out pests, and effectively sealing trash containers.

Maintaining a safe, clean environment for students is a priority for schools. While this may include killing germs and bugs, staff need to be mindful of the chemicals they are exposing children to. Integrated pest management strategies are the best way to ensure safety and simpler HSA compliance across California schools with fewer forms, training, and resources dedicated to using harmful pesticides.

If you have questions about this activity or TargetSolutions’ school district catalog, contact us today (800) 840-8048!

TargetSolutions’ NFPA® 1403 Live Fire Training Evolutions Promotes Safety with Live-Burn Drills

TargetSolutions’ NFPA® 1403 Live Fire Training Evolutions covers the essentials of invaluable live-burn training and emphasizes the importance of safety and compliance.

Although the number of on-duty firefighter fatalities has been declining in recent years, the proportion of deaths related to training has been increasing, according to the National Fire Protection Association. In fact, a recent study organized by the NFPA® compiled with data from the previous decade found that more than 100 firefighters have died during training activities. The big standout: live fire training is the typical leading cause of training-related fatalities. Fortunately, TargetSolutions’ NFPA® 1403 Live Fire Training Evolutions course covers the essential safety protocols and compliance procedures of live-burn training.

This one-hour training lesson features 10 learning modules that review the fundamentals of live-burn evolutions while emphasizing the importance of safety and maintaining compliance with state regulations, NFPA® standards, and other local policies.

“Effective training without compromising safety is so important, especially during live-burn training. TargetSolutions’ NFPA® 1403 training is readily available and is an absolute must for every firefighter.”

Bryan Fitzgerald, Content Manager, TargetSolutions

Objectives of this course include:

  • Identify the risks associated with live-burn training
  • Describe the various components of pre-burn planning
  • Illustrate the need for comprehensive and effective pre-burn planning
  • Discuss the importance of ensuring safety during live-burn evolutions

Check out our online catalog for a complete listing of other NFPA® and firefighter training courses.

For more information on NFPA® 1403 Live Fire Training Evolutions, please contact TargetSolutions today at (800) 840-8048.

A Look Ahead: Performance Support Solutions for Organizations

Performance support solutions are convenient workplace resources that provide operational support at a moment’s notice. The real-time push of relevant, personalized knowledge not only optimizes performance, it closes risk gaps, leading to safer, more capable employees and safer, more capable organizations. 

Imagine being able to address high-risk behavior at the exact moment of need. Performance support solutions are learning resources for individuals in their workflow that can reduce mistakes and improve safety. Performance support solutions can also be data for decision makers that provides valuable insight into training needs.

Performance support is shaping the workforce with convenient, user-friendly, and relevant information that helps organizations optimize productivity.

tslogo_symbol-color-smallAlthough performance support complements training, it serves a different function for organizations and their employees. Training helps employees gain a new skill, such as TargetSolutions’ online continuing education courses, while performance support helps employees effectively apply the skill to a job.

Performance support solutions are more convenient than full-length training lessons. Using a mobile application, more compact objectives simplify information so employees don’t need to switch devices or carry additional materials. Additionally, bite-sized lessons are often more immediate and transferable to the task at hand.

Employees in the field do not have time to sort through an entire online course or strain to read a document designed for a computer screen. Therefore, performance support content needs to be user-friendly; meaning it must be easy to find and be mobile optimized, not just mobile accessible. Users can access relevant material made for their smartphones. This way they can pinpoint an occupational need and resolve it immediately.

Finally, performance support solutions provide incident data that tells a story. Insight into training gaps and trends in searched procedures are revealed through this data. Organizations can utilize this information to create measurable improvements in training and edit the type of content available as performance support.

Meaningful data and useful performance support solutions ultimately help agencies finish work safely, correctly, and efficiently. Employees are more satisfied with their performance and organizations can accomplish more with a competent staff.

For questions about upcoming features for TargetSolutions, contact us at (800) 840-8048.

TargetSolutions Delivers Fresh Bundle of Water Industry Training Courses

TargetSolutions has released a brand new bundle of water industry training courses that focus on the rehabilitation of water distribution systems, lead contamination, wastewater treatment, filtration basics, and much more.

TargetSolutions’ library of water and wastewater training courses has undergone significant enhancements. Six courses, four of which are brand new while two others feature updated content, present a versatile series of industry-related concepts in an engaging and interactive format.

Packed with enticing multimedia, special features of this new collection include an instructor-led video-based format for select courses, audio-driven compositions, study exercises, and more.

Course titles in this bundle include:

  • Lead Contamination of Public Water Systems
  • Rehabilitation of Water Distribution Systems: Current Technologies
  • Rehabilitation of Water Distribution Systems: Selecting Rehab Methods
  • Rehabilitation of Water Distribution Systems: Designing Renewal Projects
  • Water Industry Wastewater Treatment
  • Water Industry Filtration Basics

The series marks a significant milestone of collaboration between TargetSolutions and sister companies RedVector and LearnSmart. Working together, the end result is a compilation of more than six hours of engaging water industry training content.

“This exciting new bundle of courses tackles important water industry concepts with an eye to engage and a mission to inform. TargetSolutions has worked with our sister companies, RedVector and LearnSmart, to develop these courses that cater to a much more interactive format.”

Bryan Fitzgerald, Content Manager, TargetSolutions

California currently has approved accreditation for these courses and TargetSolutions is working to achieve approval in other states. The current state-by-state listing is as follows:

Approved: California (Water & Wastewater), Colorado (Water), Illinois (Water)

Available (Water & Wastewater): Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, South Carolina, Virginia

To learn more, please check out TargetSolutions’ online training catalog for water professionals or contact us today at (800) 840-8048.

TargetSolutions Makes Key Updates to Two NFPA® 1001 Training Courses

TargetSolutions has recently updated the content and multimedia of two NFPA® 1001 training courses that cover various aspects of fire safety.

In an ongoing effort to provide the most engaging online training experience possible, TargetSolutions has completed major revisions to a pair of NFPA® 1001 training courses: Fire Behavior and Firefighter PPE. Now presented in an interactive multimedia format with a complete voice-over narration track, these two courses explore the fundamentals of fire safety training as they relate to fire behavior and personal protective equipment for firefighters.

Objectives of Fire Behavior include:

  • Recognize the methods of heat transfer
  • Define flash point and fire point
  • Identify the physical states of matter in which fuels are found
  • Describe the four stages of fire development

Objectives of Firefighter PPE include:

  • Fit tests and firefighter responsibilities
  • Wildland and HAZMAT gear
  • SCBA and other types of breathing apparatuses
  • Care and maintenance of PPE

The NFPA® 1001 training courses, Fire Behavior and Firefighter PPE, follow a trend of dynamic lesson releases that are written to the NFPA® standard. Recently, TargetSolutions launched a bundle of courses written to the NFPA® 1410 and 1041 standards that explore firefighter evolutions and firefighter instructor training.

Visit our course library to view a complete listing of all of our NFPA® offerings.

To learn more about these courses, please contact TargetSolutions today at (800) 840-8048.

TargetSolutions Releases New Course for School Employees on How to Support LGBT Students

TargetSolutions’ releases Introduction to Understanding the Basics of LGBT Identities, which outlines how to support LGBT students. 

Every day, LGBT individuals face discrimination and are the victims of bullying and other abusive behaviors. Although steps toward tolerance and equality are regularly taken, it is clear there is still progress to be made.

TargetSolutions’ newly released training course, Introduction to Understanding the Basics of LGBT Identities, is crucial for school district employees. A recent study found that six out of 10 LGBT students feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, 80 percent of LGBT youth reported severe social isolation. As loneliness can be a common trait for most LGBT students, it’s important for school districts and their staffs to understand how to support LGBT students.

“While growing up in today’s society is difficult for many students, LGBT youths experience additional stress and anxiety because educators are not aware of the unique challenges they face,” said tslogo_symbol-color-smallTargetSolutions Client Services Manager Jennifer Jones. “Our Introduction to Understanding the Basics of LGBT Identities training course provides educators with a deeper understanding of LGBT struggles to create a safer environment for LGBT students.”

This valuable course provides an overview of the different identities, languages, and struggles within the LGBT community. Once educators empathize with the hardships that the LGBT community endures, they will have a greater understanding of how to support LGBT students.

The course is divided into 10 self-paced learning modules. As users progress through each lesson, they are guided by narration and immersive images to enhance their user experience and learning.

Subjects covered in this introductory course include:

  • The difference between sexual orientation vs. sexual identity
  • The language of the LGBT community
  • The trouble with stereotypes
  • The difficulty of coming out
  • Gender with a “T”
  • How to support LGBT students by becoming an ally

At the end of each module, learners are tested for comprehension with practical study exercises. These brief quizzes improve fluency with real-world applications of lessons, such as the use of proper pronouns. Upon completion of the course, learners are given a 10-question exam to ensure retention of material.

“Understanding what it means to be an LGBT student is more important now than ever before. With improved audio, case studies and study exercises, this course will help the user develop an understanding and appreciation of the LGBT community and the identity-related issues they face.”

Bryan Fitzgerald, Content Manager, TargetSolutions

In October of 2016, TargetSolutions released Introduction to Understanding the Rights of LGBT Students. Like the previously released course, this new course promotes tolerance for other individual’s differences and provides a better understanding on how to support LGBT students.

For questions about course updates or our online training catalog, please contact TargetSolutions today at (800) 840-8048.

How Horry County Fire Rescue Manages Its ISO Fire Department Training Reports with TargetSolutions

HorryCounty

Horry County Fire Rescue regularly utilizes TargetSolutions’ versatile online platform to streamline training and ISO fire department training reports.

If you had asked Assistant Chief Douglas Cline a few years ago what his vision of an ideal training program might be, inevitably his response would include a little bit of everything.

With 40 stations covering more than 1,150 square miles of the diverse South Carolina landscape, Horry County Fire Rescue stretches from the county’s urban super-centers to the edges of its rural farmland. In the midst of such an active community, Cline’s department responds to more than 60,000 calls annually, 10,000 of which are fire related.

Horry County’s journey with TargetSolutions began out of need, as the organization sought to find a platform that could handle their unique training requirements.

“One of the reasons that we switched from CentreLearn over to TargetSolutions was because it has the components that we were looking for under the fire related pieces,” said Cline. “CentreLearn was predominantly EMS and we were looking to do both EMS continuing education for recertification and also a platform to do fire.”

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Needless to say, TargetSolutions delivered in spades.

When it comes to the plethora of features offered by TargetSolutions’ online training management platform, Cline says his department regularly takes full advantage. Pre-course work, EMS continuing education, custom activities, records management; if the feature is available, Horry County Fire Rescue probably uses it.

In response to the dreaded ISO audit, Cline described the event as just another day at the office when compiling ISO fire department training reports.

“The amount of time I put into it was very minimal,” said Cline. “I created ISO reports, he asked for a couple other little things and that was it. I probably spent less than 45 minutes on it because I could produce everything I had to produce before he got there.”

Nevertheless, Cline’s experience of adding value to Horry County Fire Rescue’s training program with TargetSolutions’ platform has been second to none.

“I like the platform. We utilize it a lot, not only to deliver or get information out of but also to store things,” said Cline. “I would say it works very well for us.”

See what else clients are saying about TargetSolutions and what more the platform can do for you. Please contact us with any questions at (800) 840-8048.

TargetSolutions Introduces Inaugural Fire and Cities Advisory Boards

tslogo_symbol-color-smallBoard members will evaluate and provide feedback with the goal of further optimizing TargetSolutions’ online training management system for Cities and Fire organizations.

In an ongoing effort to provide the most premium quality records management and online training products to Fire agencies, TargetSolutions is excited to introduce the inaugural Fire Advisory Board (TFAB).

Composed of a dedicated team of TargetSolutions clients, the key objectives of the TFAB are to provide new product and service ideas, weigh-in on product priorities, provide guidance on the functionality of development projects, and offer information on market trends and insights. The overall goal at the end of the day is simple: Serve as a continued source of expertise and input for TargetSolutions’ technology and content roadmaps.

The inaugural board will be piloted by 16 members from across the country who will partake in virtual or in-person meetings with the TargetSolutions product and content teams throughout the year. This isn’t just a mingling meet-and-greet; this is a full-fledged interactive council assembled to elevate the industry’s leading training platform.

The advisory board had its kick-off meeting in February where we discussed long-term strategy and the vision of TargetSolutions.

“The creation of these boards has been a few years in the making and they will serve as a valuable source of market insight for new ideas as well as the direction of the product as a whole.”

Misty Pratt, Product Manager, TargetSolutions

Fast approaching in May in St. Petersburg, Fla., is Vector Solutions’ Client Summit, which is shaping up to be an innovation showcase. Kicking off with keynote speaker Elliott Masie, the event will feature client panels, presentations, case studies, roundtables, and other topics pertinent to the industry.

Also set for a maiden voyage is TargetSolutions’ Cities Advisory Board (TCAB), comprising of six industry professionals who will provide their expertise to further develop the platform for the Cities market. With an ongoing mission to constantly adapt to new market training requirements, the TCAB will offer insight into market trends, discuss city practices and training requirements, and provide new product or service ideas that will help improve the system.

“We’re hoping that the board developed for Cities will help us hone in on currently untapped opportunities to develop online training within the market,” Pratt said. “There’s much we can learn with the formation of this board and we can’t wait to see how this will enhance the platform’s features outside of online training as well.”

Both advisory boards are annual commitments and will be evaluated every calendar year to ensure a constant influx of participation and fresh ideas.

For more information, please contact TargetSolutions today at (800) 840-8048.

About TargetSolutions
TargetSolutions delivers cutting-edge software applications, engaging online training courses, and world-class customer service. The company was founded in 1999 and today there are more than 4,000 organizations across the country using TargetSolutions to solve their training challenges.

Behind-the-Wheel Negligence: Empowering Safety and Limiting Liability

Workplace Driver Safety Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


TargetSolutions has recently updated a pair of driver safety online training courses with more on the way. Check out this infographic to learn more about behind-the-wheel negligence and how you can protect your employees while limiting liability.

Think about the saying “get me from point A to point B.” For most it’s not even worth an afterthought, making it such an accurate reflection on our mobile society’s dependence on motor vehicle transportation. But it’s so much more than that. As our highways continue to clog and our roadways persistently crater with potholes, the dangers of behind-the-wheel negligence are always on the rise. Although the numbers are alarming, establishing a workplace driver safety program in your organization can help increase safe driving practices and limit liability.

When it comes to the impact of such negligence and workplace roadway incidents, 2015 saw its highest totals of such events and fatalities since 2008. In fact, of the 4,836 total workplace fatalities in 2015, one-quarter of those were because of roadway incidents. The financial costs incurred by companies due to driver negligence incidents can top $16,000 per wreck and skyrocket to $74,000 if injuries are involved. If a fatality occurs, such as the more than 1,200 that perished in 2015, costs can amount to more than $500,000.

Roadway safety is everyone’s responsibility, from the individual in the driver’s seat all the way to the organization employing the services of a fleet. Likewise, behind-the-wheel negligence can take on numerous forms of driver distractions including texting, adjusting dials, chatting with a passenger, eating, and even daydreaming.

The Department of Motor Vehicles classifies distractions into three categories:

  • Visual distractions that take your eyes off the road: Searching for items in your car, checking GPS, changing radio stations, doing your makeup, or simply enjoying the view.
  • Manual distractions that take one or both hands off the wheel: Eating, drinking, smoking, adjusting your own or your child’s seat belt, adjusting knobs.
  • Cognitive distractions that take your focus off the road: Talking to a passenger, road rage, daydreaming, being under the influence.

The above classifications identify causes of distracted driving, but it’s important to fully understand the consequences of the problem to its maximum extent. A recent study examining police report data in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) found that an estimated 62 percent of distracted driving fatalities are the result of at least one driver being described as “generally distracted” or “lost in thought.” Compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as a nationwide census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes, the top 10 distractions for drivers were as follows:Workplace Driver Safety Program

Cell phone use, specifically texting, is classified by the DMV as visually, manually, and cognitively distracting; a trifecta of detraction since it requires the collective use of hands, eyes, and focus. The reality is that most, if not all, of these occurrences are preventable and measures can be taken to reduce the amount of interference they cause.

TargetSolutions Client Services Manager Jennifer Jones, who regularly advises clients on these matters, sees behind-the-wheel negligence as a continuous problem but advises that there are numerous solutions, starting with common sense.

“Controlling the distractions in your own vehicle is very important, that’s the first thing,” said Jones. “Establishing a training program to set your employees up for success on the road is the second.”

Jones cites TargetSolutions’ vast library of driver safety training courses that tackle all forms of driving safety, as well as custom activities that can ensure employees are up-to-date on all compliance-related documentation and necessary forms. Tracking license renewals, delivering policies, and setting alerts, for example, are just a few simple options that can keep administrators apprised of where employees stand on current driving requirements and can serve as the backbone for a healthy workplace driver safety program.

“Making sure that you employ licensed drivers who are fit to drive and exercise good driving practices can avoid negligence,” added Jones. “Staying on top of license renewals and safe driving practices is a good way to ensure your employees are fit to drive. When companies keep their employees safe, they keep the public safe while reducing claims and liability.”workplace driver safety program

When it comes to training courses, TargetSolutions offers a slew of available online lessons on topics ranging from Defensive Driving Techniques to Speeding to Safe Backing for Large Vehicle Drivers.

“We’re always striving to deliver the most engaging training possible which is why our Fleet Program courses are undergoing a number of updates this year,” said TargetSolutions Content Manager Bryan Fitzgerald. “Our goal is to bring a new multimedia format to these courses to deliver the key points in a way that students will enjoy learning while retaining critical information.”

In total, TargetSolutions offers more than 75 hours of versatile motor vehicle safety training which amassed more than 100,000 total student completions in 2016. In fact, to provide an ongoing superior learning experience, TargetSolutions is in the process of updating a collection of driver safety courses that feature an assortment of enhanced interactions and select lessons even include video-based instructor-led training.

TargetSolutions’ Fleet Program training courses that have received updates so far in 2017 include:

  • Adjusting to Changing Conditions
  • Distracted Driving
  • Distracted Driving for Emergency Vehicle Operators
  • Driver Safety Orientation
  • Driver Safety Orientation for Large Vehicle Operators
  • Fleet Program Driver Safety Orientation for Emergency Vehicle Operators
  • Safe Backing for Large Vehicle Drivers

To see safe practices in action, look no further than Goodwill Industries of San Diego County, which has been a TargetSolutions client for more than six years and takes full advantage of the Fleet Program training courses.

“We feel that the ability to raise awareness among our Fleet Department and easily train our drivers has played a part in decreasing the number of accidents,” said Asset Protection Director Marco Guizar. “The platform has been a great way to reach out to the masses because it is difficult to congregate all supervisors in one area…when it comes to training management, TargetSolutions has been a great benefit to us.”

Behind-the-wheel negligence is a problem that we are all responsible for and, likewise, are more than capable of fixing. Whether it’s through simple self-awareness or establishing a workplace driver safety program, the obligation belongs to all of us. Getting from point A to point B may be your primary objective, but doing so safely is your ultimate responsibility and goal.

Check out TargetSolutions’ complete library of motor vehicle safety courses or contact us today at (800) 840-8048 to learn more.